Message from PRO

I'm off for another 'loop' visit to our trekkers today until Saturday 1st March. We'll be taking them more supplies and gathering more news and updates for you all to read on our return.

Please check the blog again on Sunday 2nd March and keep posting your messages; they will all be posted on my return and sent out to the project groups with the next Fieldbase trip to see them.

Bye for now!

We're Back (with news from the Alpha groups)

Vehicles Bravo One and Bravo Three have now returned to Fieldbase, full of all the news from our three Alpha groups. All groups are working really hard and are progressing fantastically. Each group is also bonding really well and some true friendships are being formed.

Read on for the reports on each Project Site from our Fieldbase teams who went out to spend a few days with them.

Alpha One - Hosekerasunda Community Project







First stop for Bravo One was to the Community Project in the village of Hosekerasunda. Our photographer, Brian, spent four days with the team there:



















This is Alpha One, or as they like to call themselves, ‘Team Compost’. During this phase the group hope to complete 10 toilets and they are well on the way to achieving this. Without going into too much detail the finished units consists of two chambers, one of which is in use (as a toilet) whilst the other is converting the waste matter into very useful high grade compost for their farming. It is reportedly a very efficient decomposing machine.

Oliva, aka "The English Mason"

The participants start the day with radio comms, have a breakfast of porridge and are ready to start work at 8.30 am. Alas, the masons are not always so keen to start at the same time. There is a ‘day leader’ who allots people to specific tasks and the day usually gets underway by 9.00 am. Usually the alpha group breaks down into four smaller groups to work on each of the units. As the day warms up, lunch at 1.00 pm cannot come quick enough and the locals cook an excellent curry.

The participants work through the afternoon as well and it is very very hot and oppressive. All the work is labour intensive, aggregate, sand and cement is all transported by hard toil. Yet the group are well focused, and they know that at the moment they have to keep going to get all ten completed by the end of phase. Every aspect of the construction, including mixing concrete, cutting steel rods, and bricklaying is done by the participants with the local community helping.







When time allows, the group take delight in social interaction with the local community. Josephine and Georgia were robed in exquisite saris, and others taught the ‘hokey cokey’ to the young school children. I was invited in to ‘take tea’ with a family. Sometimes, just going for a bus ride to the local town is an exciting, invigorating and educational experience.
















At the end of the afternoon, just before dinner, most participants go for a well deserved swim in the local reservoir. Bobbing around in warm water amidst wonderful scenery, when the sun is low in the sky gives a relaxing yet spiritual uplifting to the end of a day.

Alpha Two - Nagarhole National Park Environmental Project

Next stop for Bravo One was to Mettikuppe Inspection Bungalow in Nagarhole National Park. When we arrived in the late afternoon, the team were relaxing in the shade after a physically demanding day on one of the elephant-proof trenches. Some members of Alpha Two were busy painting the gazebo in the garden, another project that the group will be working on in Phase One. The designs are looking really good and the task is bringing out everybody's creative side.

We were given a tour and then treated to some face-painting and games as evening set in. After dinner, the guitar came out and everyone joined in with classics such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Tears from Heaven' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', although it seemed we only knew up to the first chorus of every song, so Fieldbase have offered to send out some song lyrics on the next 'loop' trip.

After an early night, the group were woken at 5:45am and on the worksite by 7:45. The work is physically tough, but everyone works amazingly well as a team and has so much enthusiam that time seems to pass quite quickly. Each task is rotated among the group, either loosening the soil, digging and shoveling into buckets or passing the buckets up above the trench where the soil is then levelled out to make a barrier for elephants if they come close to the edge. This soil is secured in place behind a fence, constructed out of long branches.

Alpha Two at work in the trench

The finished product

The afternoon was then spent showering and washing clothes as well as catching up with other chores at the bungalow and continuing work on the gazebo. A day off for the whole group was planned for the next day and Alpha Two were also looking forward to a safari in the park with the rangers, which was being organised for the following week.

Thomasin and James collecting water

Laurie, Bella and Maud teaching games in a break from work at the work site

Alpha Three - Chattamunnar Trek
Bravo Three meanwhile, headed down to Kerala to check up on our trekkers:

Sal, Paul & Deepak's Travels

Sal and Deepak

On Tuesday, the Logistics Team ( Sally and Paul) and the Facilities Manager (Deepak) left Fieldbase at 6.30am and headed to the neighbouring state of Kerala. After 12 hours in the car, we arrived in Munnar, a small town high in the Western Ghat mountains, surrounded by tea plantations.

The next morning, after a breakfast of curry, we set off to meet the trekking group, Alpha 3, to replenish their food supplies, and to look out for the elephants that Deepak had promised us. We met them in a village called Surinelli and they looked hot, tanned, fit, tired, grubby, bedraggled and ever so slightly smelly. As the trek was only short that day we met them at the campsite at lunch time, and everyone was looking forward to the afternoon of relaxation.

The campsite was awesome; at the side of a lake, surrounded by thick forest and scrub, at the end of a virtually impassable (by vehicles) track. The site had been cleared especially for us, with platforms for the tents, a freshly dug toilet, and shower area. Mountains surrounded us, and all that could be heard was the sounds of the forest, birds singing, monkeys chattering, and Indian music drifting from the nearby tree house where the owner of the land lived. Everyone dropped their kit and jumped straight into the lake which was warm, clear and extremely inviting. Legs were shaved, hair and clothes were washed, mainly by jumping in wearing them all and thrashing about lots, as it was the first chance they had had for a wash in 5 days.

One daring Project Manager (Matt) even let Monnie cut his hair. She did a brilliant job, considering the tangle of curls she had to start with, and an audience of 20+, all of whom were shouting instructions and advice, mostly contradicting each other. We listened out for elephants all day, but saw nothing other than fresh dung and footprints. A number of locals came over to stare at us too, either in their fishing boats or on foot, with slightly bemused looks on their faces.

The day leader, Charlie, did a magnificent job of organizing the food into piles for everyone to carry for the next few days, and making plans for the next days’ activities. Everyone took advantage of the chance to chill out and spent most of the afternoon sunbathing, chatting, and comparing blisters. We shared the gossip from Feildbase, passed the messages on from the blog, and sold all of the stock of chocolate, crisps and pop from the shop within minutes. Dinner was cooked expertly for us, pasta and fresh vegetables from Surinelli, on an open fire, and tasted all the better for the charcoal and ash from the fire. Almost all had an early night, and we were woken at 5.30am with boiled eggs and fresh bread for breakfast (a present from the Logs Team) with jam.

We left the trekkers shortly after dawn, as we had to make our way to the next food drop in Vagamon, another beautiful site, with the camp halfway up a mountain and a fresh water stream running through it and views of the surrounding hills and valleys in every direction. We then had to make our way to the final camp of the trek, on the south west coast of India by the Arabian Sea. The beach was stunning, golden and black soft sand, waves crashing against it, a cooling fresh breeze and lots of coconut and palm trees. The locals were extremely friendly and inquisitive, especially when we got our jeep stuck in the sand, which they found highly amusing.

We then had the long drive back to Fieldbase, approximately 500km, all starting to look and smell like the trekkers had. We left at dawn, and only stopped for toilet and coffee breaks, finally arriving back ‘home’ at 5pm. Oh, and we finally saw some wild elephants, 70km from Mysore, 7 adult females and 2 babies, having a drink and bath in a lake just at the side of the road.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our trip, especially as it gave us the chance to get to know the trekking group better. They were so friendly, happy to share their food with us, so organized and all enjoying their journey. Alpha 3 rock!

Road Trips to the Projects

Our first vehicle, Bravo One, left Fieldbase yesterday to take the food drop and extra supplies of chocolate, crisps and other goodies to our intrepid trekkers out and about in Kerala. Having made it to upper camp, Alpha Three's route will today take them downhill through privately-owned tea plantations to Lakeside Camp.

A full report will be updated here when Bravo One returns with our Fieldbase staff members Sally, Paul and Deepak on Sunday 24th.

Amanda (above) and Hayley (below) in the 'hub' - the Ops Room

Today Bravo Two will be heading out to project groups Alpha One and Two to spend a few days with each of them. Brian, Hayley, Gavin and myself will be taking their post, messages and goodies from the shop for them also. Check out the blog again on Sunday for all the latest news from their project sites.

Bye for now!

Focus on...our Fieldbase Staff

Tim Berriman is not only our resident ‘cupid’ (see blog post from our Valentine’s party) but is also the Deputy Programme Manager here at Raleigh India. I managed to pin him down for 5 of his precious minutes to ask him a few questions:

Briefly describe your Raleigh role.

I am responsible for the staff and participant training programme and the day-to-day management of the expedition in the absence of Mark and Gavin. I plan the changeover activities when our venturers return to Fieldbase after each Phase and can generally sort out any technical problems with computers and our communications equipment.

What is the best part of your job?

The fact that it is so varied and I get to meet and spend time with everyone here on the expedition.

And the worst?

I don’t get to go out to the project sites very much as I am mostly based in Fieldbase.

Name your favourite Raleigh trekking food.

Sandwich spread

What should you never leave home without before a Raleigh expedition?

Lots of gaffa tape and some toilet roll.

Tell us what you’ve been up to so far today?

I’ve been in several meetings, including a discussion with Mark about the Adventure Challenge we are putting together for June this year. I’ve been trying to figure out all the wiring for our communication system and have eaten some very sugary Indian sweets.

Tell us something people don’t know about you.

I used to milk cows for a living.

Do you have any good India-related facts?

The height of an elephant to its shoulder is four times the circumference of its front foot.

What is your favourite expedition memory?

Dancing under the stars with forty participants in the Namib Desert (Namibia) around a very small ipod.

What is your Raleigh theme tune?

Into the Danger Zone from the Top Gun soundtrack.

Is there life after Raleigh?

Raleigh is life. (I haven’t thought that far ahead yet).

Progress Updates

We have been hearing regularly from our three Alpha groups, who are settling in well to expedition life. Here is a brief update from each group so far:

Alpha One (Hosekerasunda Community Project) have set up their accommodation at the village school. On Sunday, the group walked to the nearest village where a similar project of building eco-sanitation units has already taken place. This gave the team a chance to see the finished product for themselves and learn more about how they are constructed. The materials have now been purchased and Alpha One will be starting work on their first toilet-build today! Their cooking efforts produced some lumpy custard with bananas yesterday, however, we have been told that the taste was “agreeable”.

Alpha Two (Nagarhole National Park Environmental Project) have moved into the ranger’s Inspection Bungalow, where they had their first elephant sighting near the camp on the day they arrived! On Sunday, the team got straight to work, completing their first elephant-proof trench. When we spoke to them they were very tired but pleased with themselves. They also wanted to report that they had cooked a lunch of chapatti with cucumber, carrots, beetroot and peanut butter – apparently quite a successful dish.

Alpha Three (Chattamunnar Trek) gave us the following report:

Alpha Three find themselves on the third day in Silent Valley after two days of arduous trekking. Blisters are rife but morale is high. Tomorrow we attempt to reach the summit of India’s second highest mountain outside the Himalayas. The highlight so far was following elephant tracks through the tea plantations and an unfortunate incident concerning leeches and Aaron’s upper thigh! Thankfully, the leeches are fine. The prospect of buying, killing and cooking a chicken has cheered him up.

From Alpha Three, sent 18/2/08 18.00

Additions to the Blog

You will now be able to enlarge new photographs posted on the blogsite, simply click on the photograph you would like to see in more detail. Also check out our link to Google Maps on the right-hand section of the blog; here you can type in the coordinates for where our venturers are currently located.

All your messages to our venturers will be passed on to them when our first teams go out to visit them this week at their various sites. Please note that all comments and messages posted on the blogsite are in the public domain, but a printed version is given to the venturer in person. We will update you with news from all three Alpha groups when the road trip groups return.

Venturers Deploy

Raleigh International India 2008

रलिघ इंटरनेशनल इंडिया 2008

Their bags were packed (and unpacked and packed again in some cases), kit was checked and last-minute preparations were made. Then we had our group photo! The general feeling last night was one of excitement with a little bit of nervousness and anticipation as all our venturers and Project Managers got ready to deploy to their project sites for Phase One. For the next 19 days they will be based at either Nagerhole National Park, the village of Hosekerasunda or out on trek in Kerala, before heading back to Fieldbase on the 5th March.

Early this morning we all said our goodbyes as each Alpha group were loaded onto a bus to set off to their project sites. For our Trekking team, who were first to leave at 6:20 just as it was getting light, an eleven-hour journey lay ahead. Alpha One and Two were able to indulge in a more leisurely breakfast together, before heading out at 9am. It was a special morning for one of our venturers Venetia, who celebrated her 19th birthday today with chocolate cake and party hats!

All the groups set up communications with Fieldbase on arrival, letting us know that they've arrived safely and are busy setting up their camps, settling in to their sites and getting to know everyone in their group a bit better. They will all be communicating with us here at Fieldbase twice daily, so that we know everything is running smoothly and, for our trek team, so that we can keep up-to-date with their locations and progress at all times.

It's certainly much quieter around Fieldbase now and very strange after such a hectic and buzzing 5 days with our venturers. They've got a fantastic next few weeks ahead of them so keep reading the blog and posting your messages, as we'll be updating any information from the teams and their sites here first! We'll also be sending Fieldbase staff out to visit them in the next few days, taking with them food drops and supplies, the shop, any letters from home or messages from the blog, so I'm looking forward to giving you a full report from that as soon as possible.

A Word from our Host Country Venturers

Hi friends,
We are from Kerala and there are six of us here at Raleigh India: Arya, Abdul Kareem, Qathab, Sathyajith, Shiju and Srikanth. This is our first time here and we are very excited and pleased to be able to meet a group of Europeans. Their friendship, good nature and open minds have made us an active part of the group. This camp is helping us to develop our language skills and also to get an idea of their culture and life style. They are very good at sharing their thoughts and feelings with us. It is not a camp so much as a life full of adventure!

Party Time at Fieldbase

14th February
By Sarah Frodsham

Valentines evening began on a great note. In the girl’s dorm there was a wave of excitement circling as everyone began to convert their delightfully toxic smelling shiny bin bags into stylish evening wear, ready to dazzle in. After another dinner of curry, we all got changed into our outfits, including the boys, who were just as elegantly dressed!

Laura and Frit

The staff set up an episode of ‘Blind Date’, (a popular television programme in the UK) featuring three contestants and Cupid, who had to choose one of the contestants for an imaginary date. Cupid and the contestants were separated by a screen, so because he couldn’t see any of them, had to make a decision based on their answers to three specific questions, giving him a chance to learn a bit more about each contestant. There were a lot of laughs and finally, Cupid, who had the most wonderful toga, wings and halo, picked contestant number one.

The staff put on their own 'special' version of Blind Date

"Here is your host, Miss Cilla Black!"

The lovely Cilla meets the contestants

Deputy Programme Manager, Tim as the lovely Cupid

"Who's it going to be? The decision is yours..."

The evening moved on with some limbo and lots of dancing - Laurie did some rather impressive break dancing and Christina taught the group the moves to ‘footloose’, a rather funky dance which everyone eventually got to grips with after a few trips and falls – all adding to the humour.

A few games of Limbo

"How low can you go?"

The Catwalk - Raleigh's New Collection 2008

Paul and Frit

Aaron and Maud

Shiju, Abdul Kareem, Qathab, Sathyajithand Shrikanth

He's not always behind the camera (Our photographer, Brian with Miranda and Amanda)

And the winner is….

Tuesday night played host to our Raleigh India Country Quiz. Venturers pitted themselves against each other and even a Staff team (whose performance was particularly poor) in four rounds covering aspects of Indian culture, history, sports and famous faces। Well done to the winning team - 'Team Friendship'.

Trek Training and Camp Craft















Our venturers have now returned from an intensive two days of trek training, taking them on a 10km around the local area. After a successful journey from Fieldbase, they arrived at the campsite where they had to set up camp for the night.


















The afternoon provided an opportunity for some essential medical training, followed by games and activities to get to know the other members of their group. The trangias were set up and after a delicious evening meal made from typical Raleigh trek foods: noodles, soya protein, pasta and sweetcorn, they all settled down in their alpha groups to reflect upon the day. It wasn't long until most had retreated to their tents to get a good night’s sleep ready for the next day.







Day two took them on a route up to the temple at the top of Chamundi Hill, looking out over Mysore, and back to Fieldbase again, eager to hear our exciting news…

Groups for Phase One are Announced!

The moment we have all been eagerly awaiting has now arrived. Today our venturers found out the names of each person in each Alpha group and which project site they will be setting off to early Saturday morning for Phase One. Over the next three weeks, these groups will live, work and play together, twenty-four hours a day, either on the Community, Environmental or Adventure project.

Read on for the full line-up of each Alpha Group:


Alpha One: Community project at Hosekerasunda

Arya B Raj
Shiju
Chris Dravers
Ali Clark
Flora Perry
Sarah Frodsham
Venetia Andrew
Bruno Weijenborg
Georgia Forbes
Guy Dampier
Georgina Rumbellow
Josephine Riggs
Olivia Hayward

Alpha One Team Photo







Alpha Two: Environmental project at Nagerhole National Park





Qathab
Kareem
Thomasin Lockwood
Sarita Tam
Julia Vandoone
Christina Corder
Kerala Adams-Carr
Maud de Mol van Otterloo
Victoria Cayzer
Laurie Hedges
Will Murray
James Hudson
Bella Watling

Alpha Two Team Photo



Alpha Three: Chattamunnar Trek

Srikanth
Sathyajith
Aaron Henshaw
Charlie Arnot
Monnie Beresford
Tom Boles
Laura Sutcliffe
Tessa Voute
Bryony Moody
Graham Watts
Alice Tyler
Kirsty Champion
Freya Brash


Alpha Three Team Photo

We're off to get ready for tonight - a black tie Valentine's Ball! With limited possessions here at Fieldbase however, our Logistics team have helpfully provided a pile of black bin liners, white card, pink paper and rolls of sticky tape in order to create some exciting outfits.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone from Raleigh India. We're waiting for our cards to arrive...

Thanks for all your messages, we've been passing them on to our Venturers every day and will continue to do so as often as possible while they are out on Phase. Don’t forget to keep checking the blog for updates on how the venturers are getting along and keep posting your messages here!

A Treat for Our Staff

Last Friday evening the Raleigh India staff were lucky enough to receive some private tuition in the traditional Indian dance called Bharatanatyam, which is the classical form here in Southern India.

It is a form of dance which has evolved over many centuries in the temples of Southern India. Using a combination of nritya (pure dance) and mudras (hand gestures) the dancer will communicate a story or meaning to the audience.

The session began with an introduction to the history of the dance and some gentle yoga exercises to warm up, however, as soon as the dancing began our muscles were stretched to the full and our minds had to focus in order to follow the complex and physically demanding routine.

It certainly worked up a sweat but was fantastic fun and as you can see from the photos we were

all eager to join in.

The Venturers Arrive!

Today is an exciting day for us here at Raleigh India and Fieldbase is buzzing with activity and noise.

Yesterday our eight Host Country Participants from the state of Kerala arrived and they were joined this morning by our 33 new venturers! It is absolutely fantastic to have everyone here and ready to get started.

Our slightly jet-lagged and bleary-eyed participants, having travelled from the UK and Holland were put into their training groups where our Project Managers got everyone energized with some name games and ice-breakers. After dinner, they were then whisked away for their swim test and admin sessions.

Over the next five days, the participants will receive all their training in communications, cultural awareness, first aid and health and safety not to mention the practical trekking skills on our mini-trek complete with lessons in camp craft. After this, they will be fully prepared and ready to set off with their alpha groups to the project sites on Saturday.

This afternoon our Raleigh participants still found the energy for an impromptu cricket match!

We’ll certainly be keeping them busy, but will let you know how they are getting on...

Staff Return to Fieldbase

Our Project Managers and Medics have now all arrived back at Fieldbase, having completed their Project Planning Visits at the three sites where we will soon be living, working and trekking with the Venturers.

In order to get more of an idea of the projects, we interviewed each team to find out what the Venturers can expect.

Alpha One: Hosekerasunda Community Project

Otherwise Known As:
“Project Compost”






Message to Venturers:
Building eco-sanitation units may not sound very glamorous, but if you watch Property Ladder or Ideal Home, this is the project for you. This is the perfect opportunity to get integrated into the community and see the “real India”.

Introduction to the project:
You will be building eco-sanitation units for each of the thirty families in the village of Hosekerasunda, which will amount to ten toilets every phase. The work is supported by MYRADA (a local NGO) who have already completed the same project in the village next door. More importantly you will be living and working directly alongside the community, who have already contributed some building materials to the project. This is a grass roots project, getting your hands stuck in; bricks, cement and all!

An eco-sanitation unit

Brief Description of where the Venturers will be living:
Home is the local Primary School, which is used by the village during the day. Your ‘supermarket’ is a typical Indian kiosk, which can source most things from sweets to soap. It is 100% community based living with a great opportunity to see the outcome and physical impact of your work.







What are the highlights of the project:
Living and working within the community. Everyone is so friendly and interested in what we will be doing there and cannot wait to meet all our venturers.

What else will be happening on the project:
Plans currently being discussed include a local cricket match, a shopping spree in the market at the nearby town of HD Kote, a swimming excursion and loads of time to play with the children of Hosekerasunda and teach them ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’.





Don’t leave Fieldbase without:
Your work gloves and mosquito nets. Also keep an open mind and a big smile!

The team:





Sally

The Pocket Rocket. She’s full of energy and likes to party and cause mischief at any opportunity.




Kate

Our Feisty Kiwi with plenty of energy and a terrific sense of fun. She’ll ask lots of questions so bring lots of answers and if nothing else her accent will always make us laugh.




Claire L.

An English Rose of a medic. She may speak like she’s got a plum in her mouth but she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty!

Alpha Three: Chattamunnar Trek


Otherwise Known As:
“The Mountain Goats”

Message to Venturers:
This is your chance to see some stunning scenery. It will test your endurance to the full but is also going to be such a laugh. Don’t feel overwhelmed: it will certainly be a challenge, but is do-able. Just be prepared.

Introduction to the project:
Get ready to face the greatest challenge of the moment and what you will get in return is an experience not to be missed. You’ll be trekking through privately owned tea plantations and up the second highest mountain in Southern India, then cycling and lastly canoeing in the backwaters of Kerala.

Brief Description of where the Venturers will be living:
Home will be your camp that you must make along the way. You will be sleeping in tents by the campfire, creating and breaking camp every day.

What are the highlights of the project:
The journey is long with highlights throughout. This will probably be the biggest challenge of your life. It is also the perfect opportunity to see a diverse range of wildlife and in particular, monkeys in abundance!

What else will be happening on the project:
The tea plantations and national parks you will be visiting offer a diverse cultural experience with all the sights and smells of the “real India” that a tourist trail could not buy. Other plans include a possible trip to a tea factory and plenty of time in the evenings for rest, relaxation and reflection around the campfire with only the stars above you.

Tree House

Don’t leave Fieldbase without:
Your platypus water bag, blister plasters, puritabs, a sense of humour and a can-do attitude!

The team:

The trek team: Claire M., Dominic and Matt

Dominic

Dependable and reliable, he will get you through anything with his good sense of humour. He will bond the team and is up for the challenge.

Claire M.

Trustworthy and loyal, she makes you feel comfortable and is someone you can confide in. She is also very knowledgeable about the practical side, motivated and fit!

Matt

Our down-to-earth Northern doctor that will motivate the team and keep your spirits high with tons of jokes. He’s certainly got the chatter but with practical skills to match.

Alpha Two: Metakuppe Environmental Project


Otherwise Known As:
“Project Dark Horse”

Message to Venturers:
Get ready to burn the candle at both ends.

Introduction to the project:
The venturers will be involved with the reinforcement and rebuilding of elephant-proof trenches in the National Park. These provide bilateral protection to the elephants in the park and to the tribal communities whose land surrounds the area. At certain points these trenches have eroded allowing easy access for animals to pass from one side to the other.

Your task: an example of an elephant-proof trench

Brief Description of where the Venturers will be living:
Your home for this phase will be in the Inspection Bungalow in Metakuppe, within the National Park. The building, which is exactly 100 years old, was a gift from the last king of Mysore and is situated one kilometre down a dirt track in an area of secured land, patrolled by the park rangers.

The Inspection Bungalow

What are the highlights of the project:
You will have plenty of opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, on our Project Planning Visit we were lucky enough to sight an Indian tiger, close to our camp! This is apparently very rare and so an extremely exciting event for our first night. Other wildlife in the park includes: elephants, leopards, spotted deer, sloth bears, snakes and frogs!

Jenny and Suzanne in discussion with the Park Rangers

What else will be happening on the project:
There are lots of options for further exciting projects around the Inspection Bungalow which will be revealed on a phase-by-phase basis and plenty of ‘down-time’ to give you energy for the elephant trenches.
Also on offer is a chance to brush up on your languages. Suzanne (Project Manager) can give the group Irish lessons and there are plenty of park rangers around for lessons in Kannada language (the local language here in Karnataka). Watch out for Jenny, who will be rounding up the team for sessions of kick-boxing and yoga.

Don’t leave Fieldbase without:
Your work gloves and party hats! Any games or accessories to keep everyone entertained when not at work.

The team:

The team relax together outside

Project Managers Suzanne and Hana

Hana
The blonde bungalow bunny, always bouncing with energy.


Suzanne
An Irish party animal who will provide a huge amount of hilarity.


Jenny
The mad adventure medic. She may be small, but certainly makes up for it with speed and energy.

The trekking groups in action

Cooking by night

Staff teams for Phase One are announced

Our Management team revealed to us today where each of the Project Managers will be working for the first Phase of our expedition. For the current line-up for each project site in Phase One, see below

In Alpha One on the Community Project in the village of Hosakerasunda are:

Kate Morten – Project Manager
Sally Jupp – Project Manager
Claire Lehman - Medic

Once the participants arrive, the group will be living and working alongside the community to improve facilities in the village with the construction of eco-sanitation units.


In Alpha 2 on the Environmental Project in Nagerhole National Park are:

Hana Manthorpe – Project Manager
Suzanne Leamy – Project Manager
Jenny Newman - Medic

This group will be based in the stunning location of the Nagerhole National Park to repair and maintain elephant trenches which are vital to protect villagers’ crops.


And in Alpha 3 on the Adventure Phase to the backwaters of Kerala on the Arabian coast are:

Dominic Short – Project Manager
Claire Morris – Project Manager
Matthew Mudford - Medic

The trekkers will undertake an arduous and remote 19 day route over physically demanding terrain through some stunning scenery in the state of Kerala. Each night the group will have to set up wilderness campsites, carrying all their equipment between sites.


Now that the groups have been decided, each alpha group will spend four days on their Project Planning visits at the project location. During this time careful consideration will have to be made in order to decide what activities the participants will be involved in during their time on that part of the phase, looking at the facilities are available, all the health and safety measures that will need to be put in place and what equipment may be needed for a successful expedition.

Once all this preparation has been laid out, the groups will be ready to present their findings and ideas back to Fieldbase and start getting ready for when the participants arrive here at Fieldbase on Monday the 11th February.

Day Two of Trek Training

After waking up before dawn to make our breakfast of porridge and tinned pineapple (surprisingly tasty), the site was packed up again and we were ready to set off for our second day on our feet. Friday’s trekking tested our navigation and map reading skills, taking us on a route up to the top of Chamundi hill (a total of 1,100 steps) to the breathtakingly beautiful Temple at the top.



Once back at the camp area, we barely had time to check our feet for blisters and try to stretch out our backs a little before the tents went up again and dinner had to be cooked. Once everything was cleared away, we were able to relax under the stars and reflect on all the experiences of the day. Despite overwhelming tiredness and sore feet, the group was still able to remain positive and felt a real sense of achievement from the trip and all the experiences we had shared.



It was an interesting sight on camp this morning when the group improvised a yoga session to stretch all those tired muscles.

Trek Training

We’ve now returned from our trek training, out and about in the heat of the Indian sun. In temperatures of up to 30 degrees and carrying around 20 kilos of personal and group kit on our backs, we had to put all our training into action. After a few hours walk on Thursday afternoon, we arrived at our location and had to rapidly construct our camp before darkness fell. Tents were erected, a toilet site set up and we all had our first experience of cooking and eating Raleigh trek-style.



In the evening, we were extremely lucky to have a presentation by Mr. Ravi Kumar, a specialist in Indian snakes. Mr. Kumar was able to give us plenty of useful advice and information on some of the local snakes we may encounter during our time here.

Staff Birthdays

Wednesday marked our first Fieldbase birthday celebrated with the whole staff team: our Team Coach, Claire Morris. After indulging in some lovely birthday cake, the group had a great excuse for some extra team building and relaxation by celebrating with a few laps on the local go-cart track. Congratulations to Paul, Logs Manager and Kate, one of our Project Managers, who currently hold the fastest track times!






Next up, we have one of our medics – Jenny Newman. As a special birthday gift, we allowed Jenny to be first into the showers this morning, after our three days out on trek training. See Trek Training post for details.



Happy birthday to both!